3 Kids In Car When Driver Arrested For DWI At Gas Station: NYSP

FISHKILL, NY — An Orange County woman was arrested in Dutchess County for potentially putting the lives of three children at risk, according to state police.

New York State Police say that on Sunday, around 2:44 a.m., troopers from Wappinger and Town of Fishkill police officers responded to a report of a possible disturbance at the Mobil gas station located on Route 9D, in the Town of Fishkill.

Troopers spoke to a man and a woman about a possible disturbance. The pair claimed no argument had taken place and that they had just arrived at the gas station.

While interviewing the driver, identified as 30-year-old Mashiya Townsend, of Middletown, troopers noticed signs of intoxication, according to state police. She was administered field sobriety tests, which she then failed, police said,

Troopers found that three children, ages 4, 5, and 5, were in her car during the incident.

Townsend was arrested and taken to Wappinger for processing, where she provided a breath sample that resulted in a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15 percent.

State police say the three children were turned over to a sober party.

Townsend was charged with three felony counts of aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child passenger (Leandra's Law), misdemeanor driving while intoxicated, and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated (motor vehicle with .08 of 1 percent alcohol or more in blood, 1st offense).

She was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Fishkill Court on June 23.